“Fearless is the word that was used to describe you,” he said, snapping me back to the present.
Had he noticed that my mind had drifted miles away? If so, his facial expression wasn’t letting on. I smiled. “Really? My parents said that?”
“Not to me, but to Reesa. That is what piqued my interest. You are… I don’t want to sound rude, but you’re different from the others working here. I recall a patient who complained about pain in their abdomen. You questioned my treatment.”
“And I apologize for that,” I blurted.
“You weren’t rude when doing so. You stated your opinion, and it very well could have been an intestinal blockage as well. That fact that you weren’t afraid to speak up told me something important about you,” he said.
Yes, that I have no manners.
“That I have a lack of respect for authority?” I asked.
He chuckled. “That you think for yourself and not just follow orders.”
I am not sure my parents think that’s a good trait, but I’m glad my chief of staff does.
“Then I’ll make sure to read all the information closely, so I can make my decision tonight. Is there anything else?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Not unless you can perform miracles and get someone to play the bagpipes at my wedding.”
“Bagpipes?” I asked.
“Yes. The pipers we hired from Dublin have canceled. Now I have less than a month to find a replacement.”
“I don’t think anyone in Tabiq plays such an instrument, sorry.”
“I didn’t think so. Don’t worry, I have my brother Liam coming down to give me a hand in my search.”
Liam? Coming here?My heart raced knowing he was going to be so close. If I was lucky, I’d be able to catch a glimpse of him out of my favorite window. I wonder if he’ll be looking up, hoping to spot me too.
There was a knock on the door and Finn said, “That’s probably him now. Come in.”
I wanted to see him so badly, but not here, not in front of his brother. Slowly I turned around and let out a long exhale.
Thank goodness.
“I’m sorry to interrupt you, Dr. O’Connor,” a nurse said. “But there has been an accident and they are bringing a patient in by ambulance. I thought you’d want to know,” she said.
“Thank you. I’ll head to the emergency room,” Finn said, rising from his chair. Then he turned to me and asked, “May I ask you for a favor?”
“Of course,” I replied.
“My brother is driving, and I don’t want to text him. Could you please wait for him in the lobby and explain to him what’s going on?”
“Yes, I’ll tell him you’ve been pulled away.”
“And that I need his help regarding the bagpipes as well. He can use my office while I’m gone.”
“I’ll be sure to give him the message.”
“Thank you, Nurse Marzon. And I look forward to hearing your decision tomorrow.”
I got up and headed to the door, with Dr. O’Connor close at my heels. We went our separate ways – him towards the ER and me toward the lobby. Watching him from the window was one thing, but seeing him in person here, that was different. It wasn’t like he was coming to see me. And since I hadn’t heard from him, maybe he wasn’t going to be thrilled seeing me now.
As I walked past the large picture window in the main entrance, I saw his SUV pull in.
Guess I’m going to find out shortly.